George

My cardiologist put me on Propranolol and Lisinopril now I can’t get my heart rate higher than 130-135 on most rides. I feel these drugs are restricting me of my performance. I’m 79 I used to ride 30mile days and now I’m down to 15-20. I feel I can’t put out like I did..
Does anybody else have this problem ? If so what did you do. I’m 6’2” and weight 193 and 79 years old next month and been riding 13 years. Thanks for any replies

johnny99

The best medication for you depends on your specific medical issues. My advice is discuss your problem with your doctor. There are other blood pressure medicines with different side effects that may be more acceptable to you.

FrenchFit 

I suspect you are overdosed. Talk with your cardiologist about backing-off until you reach your desired numbers. Create an excel spreadsheet with the BP taken a 4 or 5 times a day for a week, show him/her what's actually happening at rest...I don't think the cardiologist wants you walking around 100/60.

You can get a decent BP tester for less than $40 on Amazon.

George

Thanks for the replies. I have done what you have mentioned and I’m seeing the doctor again Wednesday to see what he's got to offer. I hoping there another drug that he can put me on.I was wondering what some of you were on and how it’s working out. Thanks again for the replies.

jimincalif

I take lisinopril, my HR hit 172 on a ride last month. I do see 150-160 pretty regularly if I push hard. I’m a bit younger, age 61.

Hondo Gravel

HP is frustrating. I take Losartan and amlodipine. My condition is hereditary I have been active all my life (51) Doesn’t seem to hinder activities but it flushes electrolytes so I increase my intake using stuff like Propel in water. Years ago a doc but me on a med that limited my heart rate and my cycling performance was horrible, I notice right away. Went to another doctor said taking that stuff is crazy so switched meds and got my wind back. Then I was 31 and very active but had HP. Good thing you guys don’t ignore HP and are taking positive steps.

jimincalif

Yes, it is frustrating. All my numbers have improved since I started back riding six years ago - except BP. Still need the meds.

canklecat

Yeah, I take metoprolol as needed for occasional spikes in BP and migraines. I don't have high BP, per se, but a neck injury damaged my atlas/C1 and C2. Occasionally pinched nerves and muscle spasms will provoke high BP and horrific headaches. So I take metoprolol on those occasions.

But, yeah, I notice I feel fatigued on those days and can't get my heart rate up enough to approach my usual maximum efforts. On those days I usually ride anyway, but keep my effort way down. I can still ride for hours as long as I stay within a sustainable range. I began wearing a Wahoo Tickr heart monitor a couple of months ago to keep track. It helps a little although I was already very familiar with my HR range and limits.

At age 61, my heart rate pretty much matches the formula that some folks claim is inaccurate: 220 minus age. For me, it's pretty close. My last maximum HR (maximum effort to the point of dizziness and nearly passing out) was 173, earlier this year. My usual peak HR on short sprints and hill climbs is around 160-164. My maximum sustainable HR is around 150 if I plan to ride longer than 30 minutes. That's pretty close to what the usual formula predicts.

Another wild card was Hashimoto's, an auto-immune disorder that affected my thyroid. After surgery last year to remove thyroid cancer (no metastasis) and getting my thyroid med balanced, my resting HR is finally down to normal. For years my resting HR was seldom lower than 80. Now it's usually 55-60.

But my BP and maximum HR are influenced by the neck injury. Not much I can do about that. I'm reluctant to risk surgery so I'm trying physical therapy, massage and a chiropractor.

George

Thanks for all the great replies. I think someone mention Amlodipine around here to me. I'll try and run that pass the doc Wed.

metalheart44

My guess is that your heart rate and performance issues are from the Propranolo, a beta blocker, a class of drugs that restricts heart rate and can give you a feeling of being tired. I take Lisinopril with no side effects that I notice on performance. I also take carveidlol, which is a beta blocker, and it does have heart rate and fatigue issues for me. Over time, I have worked with my cardiologist to lower the beta blocker dose so that it has tolerable effects on heart rate/peformance, but it took a number of years and my doc starting to cycle before he agreed on lowering the dose. He also added a very small dose of amlodipine (2.5mg) when the beta blocker dose was lowered and we are both happy with my blood pressure. I ride about 6k a year and climb a reasonable amount. Sometimes, at my docs suggestion, when I anticipate a hard ride I delay the beta blocker dose until after the ride. This is usually on very hot days when the ride involves climbing.

My docs, present cardiologist excepted, have generally been deaf to the effects of beta blockers on my cycling activity. By far the most difficult issue is the limitation on heart rate when climbing or a faster group ride. My dose is such that I can peak out about 155-158 (I am 75) and on most rides I average about 115-120. Folks I am riding with, when I compare their Strava data, are in the 140 to 150 range, but then they are younger.

There are medications other than a beta blocker that might be more appropriate for your particular situation and bringing this to the attention of your cardiologist might present an opportunity for discussing options. If not, my experience is that over time it seems my body has adapted somewhat to the beta blockers, but keeping the dose as low as possible has made the most difference.

peterws

That sounds like me after a trip down the gym . . .

BobG

I take 100mg atenolol and 100mg losartan. Lisinopril gave me a tickly cough, that went away after switching to losartan. Metoprolol made me drowsy, that went away after switching to atenolol.

After 5 heart attacks over a period of 25 years I've slowed down a lot. I've blamed the statins which degraded my muscle tone but the BP meds may have played a role. Also, I have a mysterious partial paralysis in the right leg after a quad tear plus arthritis at the left ankle. I've had to add one of those controversial e-assists discussed to death at the thread below to continue cycling. I'm 70.

After all of the above, I seem to have the BP under control.

Digger Goreman

I had borderline hypertension and severe acid reflux in my early 50s. Went vegetarian and started bike commuting. Reflux went away almost immediately, hasn't returned, and being as vegan as I can has resulted in my pressure being moderate low! Age 58 now.... The veggies really do the trick... I bet my life on it and will live longer now

George

Thanks for the replies again. I think when I see the doc Wed I’m going to see if I can get on the Losartan and Amlodipine. The doc isn’t into sports so I’m thinking that I’m going to have a hard time getting what I want. I guess I’m going to find out. Thanks again everyone.

fastcarbon

I am 77 and take an ARB - Benicar 40mg. I have refused Beta Blockers but occasionally use HCTZ if systolic goes over 140. If I do extended climbs (over 10 mi) I end up with blood pressure so low I can't turn the cranks so don't use the HCTZ if there is significant climbing. I have been riding 35 years and have not allowed the Docs to give me BP meds affecting heart rate. Your Cardiologist should be able to give you ARB's or Calcium Channel Blockers which do not affect heart rate unless contra indicated.

George

Thanks fastcarbon, I’m going to print this out to show the doctor Wednesday.

George

Just an update. I got off of the propranolol and everything is back to normal. Whatever that is. Thanks again everyone for the help.